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Torc Robotics opens T&D Centre in Germany to further innovate driverless technology
Torc Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, is opening a technology and software development centre in Stuttgart, Germany. Torc is a leader in SAE Level 4 self-driving vehicle software for heavy-duty vehicle, and the newly established Torc Europe GmbH will tap into the available talent pool in one of Germany’s prime automotive regions. The team will support the ongoing development of the Level 4 autonomous virtual driver in autonomous trucks in the United
States. Torc Europe is now hiring software engineers, data scientists, and architects in the areas of systems, safety, validation, and product development. “Torc is working closely with Daimler Truck to optimise the entire product stack including the virtual driver, sensing and computer hardware, and the redundant chassis, to be the first company to launch a scalable and profitable self-driving product,” said Torc Founder & CEO Michael Fleming. “Torc’s Stuttgart technology and software development centre will leverage the deep automotive and trucking technical and product
expertise to make this a reality.” Torc and Daimler Truck are collaboratively pursuing a common goal of developing and bringing autonomous trucks for long-distance haulage trucks on to the roads within the decade. In 2019, Daimler Truck invested a majority share in Torc, the first autonomous vehicle (AV) company to enter an integrated partnership with a truck original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Torc and Daimler Truck, with its North American entity, are currently ramping up development and testing in the United States. Torc’s testing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, allows daily, multi-shift runs of Torc’s autonomous test trucks on highways in New Mexico and Texas.
BMW Welt is the setting for the IFOY AWARDs 2022 ceremony BMW Welt at Ismaning near Munich is the location for one of the biggest events in the materials handling industry to be held this year. On 30 June, the announcement and presentations of the trophies for the IFOY AWARDs 2022 (International Intralogistics & Forklift Truck of the Year) will be made, with more than 200 international guests from business, science and the media attending the gala evening. The BMW Welt, which opened in 2007 is a big tourist attraction, visited by twice as many people as Neuschwanstein Castle every year. It is not the first time that it has provided a spectacular backdrop for the awards ceremony, as the trophies, also known as the “Oscars of intralogistics”, were presented to the winners for the first time there in 2017, according to Anita Würmser, Chairperson of the IFOY jury: “The BMW Group is one of the biggest users of new, innovative FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY - JUNE 22
logistics solutions in the automotive industry worldwide. We are therefore very pleased to be guests at BMW Welt with the world’s largest intralogistics competition,” she said. “The BMW Group has traditionally invested for a long time not only in the development of innovative and sustainable vehicles and mobility solutions, but also in efficient, sustainable and forward-looking solutions in the production and logistics network - LEAN. GREEN. DIGITAL. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to set the stage for the IFOY AWARD 2022,” added Dr. Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President BMW Group Production Network, Logistics. “This year, 14 innovative products,
devices and solutions from 12 manufacturers made it to the final round of the tenth anniversary of the competition. The finalists cover the entire spectrum of in-plant logistics - from forklifts to autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software to holistic automation projects for high-performance warehouses. All finalists went through the three-stage IFOY audit in March during the IFOY TEST DAYS at Messe Dortmund before the 25 jury members from 19 countries casted their votes,” explained Anita. The result, however, remains secret, she emphasised - for both the public and the manufacturers - until the award ceremony.
